The health care provider may place a small needle into a swollen joint to remove fluid. This can help to find the cause of the arthritis. It can also help relieve pain, too. The health care provider may inject steroids into the joint to help reduce swelling.

Regular eye exam by an ophthalmologist. This should be done even if there are no eye symptoms.

Treatment

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be enough to control symptoms when only a small number of joints are involved.

Corticosteroids may be used for more severe flare-ups to help control symptoms.

Children who have arthritis in many joints, or who have fever, rash, and swollen glands may need other medicines. These are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). They can help reduce swelling in the joints or body. DMARDs include:

Methotrexate

Biologic drugs, such as such as etanercept, infliximab, and related drugs

Children with JRA need to stay active.

Exercise will help keep their muscles and joints strong and mobile.

Walking, bicycling, and swimming may be good activities.

Children should learn to warm up before exercising.

Talk to the doctor or physical therapist about exercises to do when your child is having pain.

Children who have sadness or anger about their arthritis may need extra support.

Some children with JRA may need surgery, including joint replacement.

Support Groups

Outlook (Prognosis)

Children with only a few affected joints may have long periods with no symptoms.

In many children, the disease will become inactive and cause very little joint damage.

The more joints that are affected, the more severe the disease will be. It is less likely that symptoms will go away in these cases. These children more often have chronic pain, disability, and problems at school.

Possible Complications

Wearing away or destruction of joints (can occur in patients with more severe JRA)

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